The first day of Eid al-Fitr has been confirmed around the world.
Eid al-Fitr is celebrated by Muslims worldwide to mark the end of Ramadan, the month of dawn-to-dusk fasting. The festival begins on the first day of Shawwal – the tenth month of the Islamic lunar calendar – following the sighting of the new crescent moon.
Saudi Arabia has confirmed that Eid al-Fitr will fall on Friday (March 20), as the crescent moon was not sighted in the kingdom this evening. Religious scholars scanned the skies after the Maghrib prayer to determine when the festivities will begin.
It comes as Saudi Arabia has welcomed a truce between Pakistan and Afghanistan to mark Eid Al Fitr – saying it will continue its ‘tireless diplomatic efforts’.
While Saudi Arabia is often considered the benchmark for Eid dates – largely because it is the birthplace of Islam – other countries have their own systems. Morocco, for example, uses its own national moon-sighting system, and some Muslim communities, including in the UK, may choose to follow Morocco’s calendar instead.
The Dubai Media Office has confirmed the details of tomorrow’s mass prayer service, held across 900 mosques to mark Eid.
See the full details below.
https://twitter.com/DXBMediaOffice/status/2034503048798839190?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Manchester’s massive outdoor Eid-al-Fitr celebration has been cancelled at the eleventh hour after a washout winter has left the ground unusable.Council bosses and the organisers of Eid in the Park confirmed that the soggy conditions atManchester’s massive outdoor Eid-al-Fitr celebration has been cancelled at the eleventh hour after a washout winter has left the ground unusable.
Council bosses and the organisers of Eid in the Park confirmed that the soggy conditions at Platt Fields Park are simply too soft to cope with the hundreds of vehicles needed for the event. A council spokesperson told the Manchester Evening News that they are already working to ensure the Eid-al-Adha celebrations in May go off without a hitch..
While the communal prayers and main Eid gathering are off, families can still enjoy the traditional fun fair, which will run Friday to Sunday from 12pm to 6pm.
Brits holidaying in Dubai and Abu Dhabi have been warned of a major shake-up to Eid celebrations as authorities move to heighten security across the Emirates.
In a rare move, the traditional sight of thousands gathering at open-air musallas—vast prayer grounds—will be absent this year. Instead, all Eid prayers have been ordered to take place strictly inside mosques to allow officials to better manage crowds, and to allow security officers to remain on high alert for any threats.
If you are one of the thousands of UK tourists currently in the UAE for the four-day Eid” weekend, here is the essential advice you need to stay safe and savvy:
Check Before You Trek
Situations are moving fast. Before leaving your hotel, keep a close eye on the official Instagram and X (Twitter) accounts for Visit Dubai or Abu Dhabi Events for the latest “live” updates.
Head Indoors
To keep crowds managed, the focus has shifted away from the usual outdoor spectacles. Mega-malls like Dubai Mall and Yas Mall are the places to be for cultural performances and stunning decorations.
Don’t Be Alarmed
You will notice a significantly increased presence of security and civil defence at major transport hubs and tourist hotspots. Officials have stressed this is standard procedure given the current regional climate.
While official cancellation notices for Abu Dhabi’s Corniche and Yas Bay are being handled on a day-to-day basis, major tourism and leisure operators have been told to take a step back from pyrotechnic displays for 2026.
It is likely these will be replaced by quieter, ground-based light show, if they are not cancelled last-minute.
The emirates of Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah have confirmed they will not host Eid fireworks this year.
Due to the escalating regional conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran, the UAE government has scaled back major public celebrations for Eid al-Fitr 2026. This is a precautionary measure to ensure public safety and prioritise national security.
Several of the most popular fireworks destinations have officially cancelled their shows and, in some cases, closed their doors entirely:
Residents in the United Arab Emirates are set to enjoy a four-day public holiday from tomorrow as Eid celebrations commence across the nation.
As per UAE law, the first three days of the Hijri month of Shawwal are official Eid Al Fitr holidays, making March 20-22 the official Eid Al Fitr dates for the UAE. Eid Al Fitr will be celebrated on Friday (March 20), UAE authorities confirmed, after the crescent marking the start of Shawwal was not sighted on Thursday.
As an added bonus, if Ramadan lasts for 30 days in the UAE then the final day of the month is also treated as an official holiday. With Eid falling across a weekend, this has resulted in a bumper, four-day mega weekend for Emirati residents, starting from Thursday (March 19). Talk about a Ramadan Mubarak – or رمضان مبارك – for 2026!
Qatar has welcomed the news of a temporary truce between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Full statement is below.
Across the United States, where Muslims represent an ethnically and racially diverse minority, Eid is a time for massive community gatherings. Families flock to large-scale festivals that prioritise “child-focussed” fun.
According to reports from the Associated Press, these festive carnivals often feature everything from face painting and balloon modelling to outdoor fairs that bring diverse neighbourhoods together.
In Egypt, the atmosphere is electric as families head out for Eid prayers before the broader festivities begins. It is a day of non-stop socializing, with people visiting friends and neighbors or escaping to holiday hotspots.
Children, dressed head-to-toe in new Eid outfits, hunt for their “eidiya”—the traditional cash gifts handed out by relatives. No Egyptian Eid is complete without the ritual of making or buying heaps of Kahk: traditional cookies buried under a thick dusting of powdered sugar.
Malaysia’s Eid traditions are defined by the spirit of having an “open House” gathering and the “Mudik” homecoming. Following morning mosque prayers and a respectful visit to family graves, the day shifts into a vibrant community celebration.
The unique Malaysian “open house” means that doors are literally left open for friends and strangers alike to enjoy festive snacks. A standout local custom is the giving of green packets—small envelopes containing money—gifted by adults to children and visiting guests as a symbol of prosperity and joy.
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In Indonesia, many embark on an exodus to their home villages to celebrate the holiday with loved ones in a homecoming tradition. People pour out of major cities en masse across the archipeligo in order to return to villages to celebrate the holiday with prayers and family gatherings. Before the holiday, popular markets typically teem with shoppers buying clothes, shoes, cookies and sweet treats. |
Saudi Arabia has welcomed a truce between Pakistan and Afghanistan to mark Eid Al Fitr. See the Kingdom’s statement in full below.
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https://twitter.com/KSAmofaEN/status/2034400481947103435?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
In the UK, Morocco, and Turkey, the crescent moon is expected to be difficult to see on Thursday, though it may be visible with a telescope. The New Crescent Society will livestream the UK Eid al-Fitr moon sighting on YouTube and Facebook from 6.35pm on Thursday.
Qatar has joined Saudi Arabia in welcoming the ceasefire between Pakistan and Afghanistan ahead of Eid al-Fitr celebrations.
The ceasefire between Pakistan and Afghanistan is set to last until midnight on Monday (March 24).
Pakistan announced the pause in strikes earlier today, saying the decision was made ahead of Eid al-Fitr at the request of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey.
In a statement, Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the pause in strikes on “terrorists and their support infrastructure in Afghanistan” in neighbouring Afghanistan will take effect at midnight on Wednesday and remain in place until midnight on Monday.
Saudi Arabia has welcomed the temporary truce reached between Pakistan and Afghanistan as Eid Al-Fitr approaches.
The kingdom’s foreign ministry said today: “The Kingdom appreciates the willingness of both parties to respond to the calls made by the Kingdom, Qatar, and Türkiye to implement this truce.”
“It emphasizes that prioritizing dialogue and peaceful solutions is the most effective means to resolve ongoing disputes,” it added.
An aerial photo shows motorists waiting to board a ferry to Sumatra in Cilegon, Indonesia, on Wednesday, as people travel to their hometowns ahead of Eid al-Fitr celebrations.
A leading mosque in Birmingham has announced its Eid 2026 plans to worshippers.
Each year, Green Lane Masjid and Community Centre (GLMCC) hosts a large outdoor event for Eid al-Fitr, and this year the date has been set for Friday based on announcements from Saudi Arabia.
Prayers will be held at Small Heath Park, with worshippers encouraged to arrive from 8.15am for the 9am Eid prayer. Following the prayers, the Robert Wilkinson Funfair will operate in the park from 10am to 9pm, giving families a chance to enjoy the rides as part of the celebrations, Birmingham Live reports.
Eid prayer timings generally fall between 6.30am and 9am local time, depending on sunrise. Here are the Eid prayer schedules in Australia for Friday:
Singapore has announced that it will observe Eid al-Fitr on Saturday (March 21).
This is because astronomical data shows the crescent moon will not be visible from the island nation on Thursday.
Yemen, Lebanon, Palestine and Iraq have officially announced that Eid al-Fitr will be observed on Friday (March 20).
Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Turkey have all confirmed Friday (March 20) as the first day of Eid al-Fitr.
It comes after the crescent moon was not sighted in these regions on Wednesday evening.
The Australian National Imams Council and the Australian Fatwa Council have announced that Eid al-Fitr will be celebrated on Friday (March 20).
In a statement, they said: “The method by which the Grand Mufti of Australia and the Australian Fatwa Council determined the end of the month of Ramadan, the first day of Shawwal, and the day of Eid Al-Fitr is based on the calculated birth of the moon before sunset, the duration of the moonset after sunset, and the possibility of sighting the moon in Australia and its surrounding region. This is a method that has been adopted by many prominent and reputable global scholarly councils.
“The Australian National Imams Council and the Australian Fatwa Council acknowledge, understand and respect the Imams and scholars who may hold a different opinion, and request all Muslims to respect the different opinions on this matter and work towards the unity of the Muslim community in preserving the common values and interests that they all have and share.
“The Grand Mufti of Australia, Dr Ibrahim Abu Mohamad, and the member Imams of the Australian National Imams Council, wish the Muslim community a happy, joyful and blessed Eid Al-Fitr.”
In line with Saudi Arabia’s announcement, the UAE Moon-sighting Committee has confirmed that Friday (March 20) will be the first day of Eid al-Fitr.
The UAE announced earlier this month that federal government employees will have a public holiday from Thursday (March 19) to Sunday (March 22). Work will resume on Monday (March 23).
Authorities in the United Arab Emirates have said Eid al-Fitr prayers will be held only inside mosques and not in prayer grounds or open areas.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs, Endowments and Zakat said the move is a precautionary safety measure amid heightened regional tensions linked to the US‑Israeli conflict with Iran.
Qatar, in line with other Gulf countries that follow Saudi Arabia’s announcement, has confirmed that Eid al-Fitr will be observed on Friday (March 20).
The announcement was made by Qatar’s Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs.
https://twitter.com/PeninsulaQatar/status/2034296370505351378?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Eid al-Fitr is celebrated on the first day of Shawwal – the tenth month in the Islamic calendar.
Eid begins on this day because it follows the completion of Ramadan – the ninth month – during which Muslims fast.
The sighting of the crescent moon signals the start of Shawwal and the celebration of Eid.
A significant portion of Muslims follow their own local or national moon-sighting systems, which can result in Eid being celebrated a day later.
This includes communities in:
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